Kindness movement embraces empathy and compassion too

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Nov 18, 2009

Kindness movement embraces empathy and compassion too

Giving away gerbera daisies on Kindness Day is only one of the many events staged by the Singapore Kindness Movement to create awareness. -- ST PHOTO: AIDAH RAUF

I THANK Dr Lee Wei Ling for her letter last Friday, 'Better to aim for empathy and compassion', and appreciate her interest, views and feedback.

We fully agree with her views and, indeed, our own understanding and promotion of 'kindness' embraces such values as empathy and compassion. Both go hand in hand.

Promoting the idea of kindness through the distribution of gerbera daisies is only one of the many events staged by the Singapore Kindness Movement (SKM) during the year to generate awareness and publicity.

It is no more than a gentle reminder, very much like the Yellow Ribbon campaign for ex-inmates and Pink Ribbon campaign for breast cancer awareness. We hope it will persuade people to at least pause and reflect on the values embodied in 'acts of kindness' towards others.

It is human to err, and to forget as well.

As I write this letter, Canada, Britain and other Commonwealth countries have just commemorated war veterans who gave their lives for freedom on Nov11. On that day, and a few days before the event, citizens of those countries were proud to wear red poppies on the lapels of their coats. One should not underestimate the power of mementoes for they are useful 'hallmarks' that stir the human spirit, imagination and heart. After all, as the late Dr Louis Pascal said: 'The heart has a reason that the mind does not know.' I assure Dr Lee that we are mindful always to ensure that costs are kept to a minimum through sponsorship and by mobilising our many volunteers and friends.

We also work with a range of agencies - charities, non-profit organisations and foundations - and are involved in fund-raising events to support important causes, and offer help and support to those who need it most. As the Greek tragedian Sophocles would have it, 'Kindness gives birth to kindness'.

Koh Poh Tiong
Chairman
Singapore Kindness Movement

Dr Lee Wei Ling - Better to aim for empathy and compassion

Home > ST Forum > Story

Nov 13, 2009

KINDNESS DAY

Better to aim for empathy and compassion

MONDAY'S report ('Kindness can blossom, even in Singapore') about the Singapore Kindness Movement suggests Singaporeans are cynical about kindness. I cannot tell whether that is a factual statement or an inaccurate conjecture, as many people know me as Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's daughter and do not behave as they would naturally behave to 'ordinary people'.

To me, more important than social graces, which seem to be the target of the Singapore Kindness Movement, are empathy and compassion. A little brusqueness or inconsiderate behaviour that is a nuisance but causes no serious harm, such as not clearing the tray after you finish eating at a foodcourt, is bad but not terrible.

I do think giving yellow gerbera daisies for acts of 'kindness' is a little hare-brained, though harmless as long as the financial cost is minimal. I think empathy and compassion, where we go out of our way to help the less fortunate, are far more important than being gracious.

I sometimes forget to be gracious, especially if I am in a rush. I am not proud of it, but what I would never condone nor knowingly do is to neglect to help someone who needs help and whom I am able to help. More important than a Kindness Week is to inculcate a life-long principle of compassion and encourage proactive help for those who need it.

No yellow gerbera daisies are needed to reward such acts. The knowledge that we have helped someone is reward enough.

Dr Lee Wei Ling

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